Couple trek 225 miles along nation’s canals

A COUPLE in their 70s who love walking have set off on a 225-mile trek to Kent in a move that will see them raise thousands of pounds for a Knutsford church.

Husband and wife team, Bill and Joy Moore, set off from Macclesfield on Sunday, and hope to arrive in Bexleyheath, Kent – where their son Derek lives with his wife Vanessa – 19 days later.

The couple, who attend St Cross Church on Mobberley Road and have lived in the town since 1967, will be following a route along the country’s canals, taking in the Macclesfield Canal, the Trent and Mersey, Coventry, the Oxford, Grand Union and finally the River Thames.

Bill and Joy – who are keen walkers – have raised more than £1,000 so far as part of the ‘Challenge 50’ scheme, which has asked each church member to bring in £50 towards the upkeep of the church.

Bill, 75, told the Guardian: “For 15 years, since we retired, we’ve done a walk every year, and we were coming up to deciding what to do.

“As all churches are short of cash the ‘Challenge 50’ means that if everyone can raise £50 that’s a large lump of money. Somebody said why don’t we get sponsorship for this walk, and it’s taken off from there.

“England is laced with canals, so I’ve chosen the most direct route.”

The couple will be staying in B&Bs and hotels as they make their way down south, with taxis transporting their bags and belongings as they walk.

Joy, 72, added: “We’re going to be walking right through London, past the Houses of Parliament and all the landmarks, which is something that we are both looking forward to.

“It has not been easy booking hotels because there aren’t many places on the canals, just pubs, but they don’t all do B&B.”